What front tyre to pair with a Metzeler Roadtec Z6 rear on a ST1100?

huntingdog

huntingdog

Joined
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Bulgaria
I bought my ST1100 with a pretty worn front Pirelli Angel GT and a almost new Metzeler Roadtec Z6 rear. I would prefer to ride with the same make and model tyre F and R, but I don't want to throw away a good tyre.
Now I am thinking what F tyre to pair the Z6 R with. Any suggestions? Was looking at the Metzeler Lasertec, but I can't find much info about them. They have a lot of siping so maybe good in the rain? My other options are the BT23 and the Storm 3Ds.
 
Uncle Phil said:
At the end of the day if it is round, holds air, has good tread and is of the proper size, you will be fine. ;)
I've run all sorts of tire 'combinations' on my ST1100s for 400,000+ miles.
Don't tell the bike and it won't know ... :biggrin:
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Because the bike is new to me I will have a hard time telling if it's handling properly ( I think it is atm, because it feels very nimble to toss around, but I find that I have to fight with it a litle bit to hold the line mid corner, I think that's because of the weight of the bike, it is a big machine) I don't know anyone that has an ST to take theirs for a spin. I know some tyre combos can make a bike handle funky..
Will look for a Z8, seems to be the better tyre compared to the lasertec. Z8 F + Z6 R combo looks like a good choice. :)
Thanks for the input guys! :dr11:
 
huntingdog said:
More like it leans, but I have to force it to stay leaned, like it wants to get up and straighten out.
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My 1100 was just like that when I got it. Because the previous owner weighs less than I do, I raised the rear suspension to compensate, which steepens the front fork and improves the steering response, and stopped the resistance to lean.

I raised the rear spring about 1/2" on the shock body, which probably raised the bike itself around 3/4". I suggest experimenting a bit. You can always lower it back down a little if it feels too squirrely.
 
Glad to see it is normal. I actualy don't mind it as for now, because the bike feel very stable at higher speeds, but you really have to fight with it in some corners. I really have to put more kms in the sadle. I have the rear shock on the 2nd softest setting ( is that what you mean by raising the sprind) as I feel it working well with the softnes of the forks + we don't have the finest roads around here.. :biggrin:
 
I am running a Roadtec Z6 on rear and Michelin Pilot 3 on the front. Been great for last 10,000 miles. Great in the rain. First radials I’ve run as I’ve been using the stock Exedras before. I felt the radial want to enthusiastically lean into the turn, but I am used to it now. If they are ever 2-3 lbs under inflated you will know it.
 
Sunday Rider said:
I am running a Roadtec Z6 on rear and Michelin Pilot 3 on the front. Been great for last 10,000 miles. Great in the rain. First radials I’ve run as I’ve been using the stock Exedras before. I felt the radial want to enthusiastically lean into the turn, but I am used to it now. If they are ever 2-3 lbs under inflated you will know it.
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Great info. You actually rose a very important question, and thats is tyre pressure. As for now I am running the stock 2.6 kg/cm2 ( 36psi) F 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) R. But I seen on the forum that people run 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) F + R. Haven't tried it for now, because it was very cold out and I prefered to have the lower inflation on the fornt for better grip.
 
huntingdog said:
Great info. You actually rose a very important question, and thats is tyre pressure. As for now I am running the stock 2.6 kg/cm2 ( 36psi) F 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) R. But I seen on the forum that people run 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) F + R. Haven't tried it for now, because it was very cold out and I prefered to have the lower inflation on the fornt for better grip.
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I keep the front at 38-40psi. But lower pressure due to the cold makes sense for larger contact patch, just remember to raise it up when it warms up. I found you have to fight to turn more with lower pressure and bike doesn’t feel natural. If rear is lower than 40 I find the handling poor.
 
huntingdog said:
I have the rear shock on the 2nd softest setting ( is that what you mean by raising the sprind) as I feel it working well with the softnes of the forks + we don't have the finest roads around here.. :biggrin:
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You should note that the spring setting is only a ride-height adjustment. It does not change the spring rate; it only changes the as-loaded ride height. It does not shorten the spring.

It's used to compensate for changes in total load. Cranking it up will raise the bike by the same amount. What matters is the height when you're riding, but you can't adjust it then.
 
huntingdog said:
Great info. You actually rose a very important question, and thats is tyre pressure. As for now I am running the stock 2.6 kg/cm2 ( 36psi) F 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) R. But I seen on the forum that people run 2.9 kg/cm2 ( 42psi) F + R. Haven't tried it for now, because it was very cold out and I prefered to have the lower inflation on the fornt for better grip.
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Had Metzeler Z series on my bike forever. 38 front and 42 rear. 42 is too hard for the front and might be why you feel there is a problem in the corners.
 
Bush said:
Had Metzeler Z series on my bike forever. 38 front and 42 rear. 42 is too hard for the front and might be why you feel there is a problem in the corners.
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You got me wrong. I am running the stock, as per the manual 36psi front, 42psi rear.

Larry Fine said:
You should note that the spring setting is only a ride-height adjustment. It does not change the spring rate; it only changes the as-loaded ride height. It does not shorten the spring.

It's used to compensate for changes in total load. Cranking it up will raise the bike by the same amount. What matters is the height when you're riding, but you can't adjust it then.
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I think that is not true. Rear shock length stays the same. The 5 position adjuster varys the lenght of the spring only, thus making it stiffer or softer.

Al st1100 said:
avoid the bt023
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Thanks for the info, but can you specify why?
 
huntingdog said:
I think that is not true. Rear shock length stays the same. The 5 position adjuster varys the lenght of the spring only, thus making it stiffer or softer.
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That's physically impossible. What stops the top of the spring from rising when you raise the bottom of it?

The added weight that raising the "preload" to compensate for is what shortens the spring, not the setting itself.


Added: My statements above presume the bike's normal weight is sitting on the wheels.
 
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huntingdog said:
You got me wrong. I am running the stock, as per the manual 36psi front, 42psi rear.
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Yes, you are right. I was looking at a whole bunch of numbers that you had mentioned earlier and misread. If you decide on a Metzeler Z tire for the front though, you may find it cupping at 36 psi, as I did. 38 psi solved that. I don't know about other brands.
 
[



Thanks for the info, but can you specify why?
[/QUOTE]
the tires cup easily and become noisy. They don't last. T30 is good, T31 better, T32 best as far as Bridgestone sport touring tires.
 
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